On their annual Christmas Excursion on 10 December 2020 twenty two members of the Architects Small Practice Group were given the opportunity to inspect the superb Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Vulture St. Kangaroo Point.
Members were inspecting several heritage listed buildings in the Woolloongabba area and tour organiser Ron Baker arranged to meet with Constantine Drozdovskii (Con) to have an organised inspection of the cathedral. Con gave the group an introduction into the Russian influence in Woolloongabba and South Brisbane in general. He also spoke about Canon Garland's connection with the church and his association with the original Anzac Day celebrations.
Members inspected the church hall before moving on to the cathedral.
On entering the cathedral members were amazed that such a building existed in Brisbane. Con explained the various aspects of the cathedral and their significance to various holy days.
Basic plans for the church were drawn up by engineer and local parishioner, Gregory Mechonoshin. The parish council then commissioned Brisbane and Perth based architects Cavanagh & Cavanagh to prepare plans for construction. Tenders were called in mid 1935 and a contract let to builder B. Robinson. Construction commenced in 1935 and was completed early in 1936. Con also explained how the church became a cathedral when Bishop Theodore relocated to Brisbane and it became Australia's first Russian Orthodox Cathedral.
ASPG members were privileged to view (but not enter) the area reserved for the Bishop's Cathedra. Members expressed their gratitude on being given the rare opportunity to inspect this Russian Orthodox Cathedral, a hidden gem in the heart of Woolloongabba.
Proposed future development on both sides of the cathedral site are of major concern to the cathedral administration. This however is not the first time the heritage site has been threatened by development. Several years ago Philip Usher Constructions Pty Ltd proposed a multi-storey development on the Western side of the site. The developers claimed that the proposed development did not abut a heritage site as the small vacant parcel of land on the Western side of the cathedral separated the proposed development from the heritage site. The property description given in the Council's citation of the heritage property did not include this small parcel of land. It appeared that the developer was going to win until heritage architect Ron Baker discovered that whilst the property description did not include this land, the street address did. The developer reluctantly decided not to proceed
Ron Baker OAM
ASPG 2020 Excursion Organiser
